General Joe: Magnolia Ridge Series

by Alexa Riley

  Of course Kayla didn’t just throw me a surprise party. She got everyone here from all over the world just for me. Damn, that wife of mine and her sneaky ways. I keep looking around to find her, but before I can, the crowd parts.

  Just then a giant cake is pushed through the rows of books and I shake my head. She did not do what I think she did.

  Everyone starts singing Happy Birthday and just as they finish, the cake stops in front of me and out pops Kayla from the top with her arms held high and a smile on her face.

  I stand there and hold up my hand and crook a finger at her. “Get your ass down here.”

  “Not until you make a wish,” she sasses back, knowing she’s going to get it.

  “I wish you’d get your cute ass down here so I can kiss you and tell you how much I love you.”

  “Well, in that case.” She jumps out of the cake and into my arms and the crowd cheers. She’s laughing as I kiss her and she wraps her legs around me. “Happy birthday, babe.”

  “I’ll be sure and thank you properly when we get home.”

  “I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to it.” She reaches over and swipes some icing off the cake then licks it off her finger.

  “You’re trying to get me to bend you over right here, aren’t you?”

  She shrugs. “We’ve had some pretty good times here in the storage room.”

  I look around the room and see the guys all hanging out and catching up and I can’t believe she did all this.

  “How?” is all I manage to say.

  “It’s easy when you love someone like I love you. All I had to do was tell them what I was up to and they were all in.” She leans in close and whispers in my ear. “You can have me for as long as you want later. Take some time and hang out with your friends.”

  I feel her lips press against my neck and I squeeze her ass. “Just remember payback is coming.”

  She wiggles in my arms and smiles. “That’s what I’m betting on.”

  Epilogue

  Kayla

  A few weeks after that…

  I stand in front of the mirror, staring at myself with my robe hanging open. My hair is still wet from my shower as I trail my fingers down my stomach, looking at the marks my children have made. It’s been a few years since we had a baby and our youngest is off and running. She has a personality all of her own and I know she’s going to be a handful. She has my mouth but her father's stubbornness.

  I was sure I’d see myself pregnant one more time; at least that had been the plan.

  “You okay?” Joe comes up behind me and turns me in his arms. “We’re making breakfast.”

  “Yeah, I think so.” He bends down and brushes his mouth against mine. All these years together and these kisses never get old. His hand slips into my robe, resting on my hip as he pulls me into him.

  “Try again,” he orders, wanting to know what I’m thinking.

  “Could I be pregnant?” I finally ask. I’d wanted one more but we hadn't had any luck since our last. It’s not as if we use protection and we still go at it all the time. That’s one thing that’s never changed about us. I really do have the sex drive of a bunny.

  “Yes.”

  “I think I’d know, wouldn't I?” I’ve called so many of my pregnancies without needing a test. I’m used to being pregnant and am kind of a pro at it. Barbie gets mad at how easy I make childbirth look, but then again I was made for this life.

  “Every pregnancy is different. I know that for a fact.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I glare at him, making him laugh.

  “We’re not doing this.” He pulls me back into the bathroom and takes out a pregnancy test. I shake my head no. “The hard way then.” He lifts me up on the bathroom sink before turning and shutting the bathroom door. “Maybe not hard, but I enjoy it.”

  “What are you doing?” He steps between my legs.

  “I thought I ate you good enough this morning but I see you’re still wound tight.”

  He drops to his knees in front of me and grabs my hips. He moves me to the edge of the sink and throws my legs over his shoulders. He buries his face right between my thighs and there is no teasing. He goes right for my clit with his tongue and he pushes two fingers deep inside of me. I moan out his name as he brings me right to my first orgasm. He doesn't stop there and now I know what he’s doing. I’m not going to fight him on it because the man knows my body better than me.

  “Give me another, Bunny. You know I need it,” he growls, and I do what he says because my body belongs to him.

  I cum for the second time and I shake with pleasure just before all the tension leaves me. Joe stands up and wraps around me as I put my head on his chest. My breathing evens out while he rubs my back and I come down from my high.

  “You’re going to take the test now,” he says, and I nod my assent.

  I walk over to the toilet and he hands me the stick. He’s turned me into a docile kitten with his mouth, and damn it, it works every time.

  After I’m finished I set the stick on the counter to wash my hands. Joe ties my robe closed and kisses me on the forehead.

  “They’re making your favorite.”

  I smile up at my husband and cuddle close. It’s Sunday and we always spend it as a family. It’s the one day I don't cook, and lie around in pajamas.

  “Mommy.” I look to the door to see little fingers at the bottom. “Why is it locked?” The chubby hand gives it a small shake. “Copper, come pick the lock. Mommy is stuck in the bathroom,” Sylar calls to her brother.

  “I’m not stuck. I’m peeing,” I call out, and Joe unlocks the door.

  Sylar looks up at us and her mouth is covered in the chocolate from the chips she stole while making pancakes.

  “You watch me pee all the time.” She puts her hands on her hips, not liking locked doors.

  “Mommy is allowed to have some alone time.” I smile at her because she’s the nosiest of all the kids.

  “Daddy watched.” She points to him.

  “Fine, the next time I have to pee, I’ll let you know.”

  “I might be busy.” She turns around and wanders out of the bedroom.

  “You sure you want more?” Joe laughs.

  “Yes,” I say honestly. It’s why I was scared to take a test. What if I let myself think I’m pregnant and find out I’m not?

  “Good, because you’re having one.” I whip around to look at the test and see two blue lines.

  “We’re having one.” I throw myself at Joe, kissing him all over. “I love you.”

  “Love you too, Bunny.” He carries me into the kitchen and sets me on the counter. I watch the kids destroy the place all while filling it with laughter.

  Life really is perfect.

  * * *

  THE END!

  Bookstore Barbie

  All Barbie ever wanted was to own a store filled with romance books. After an unexpected windfall she’s finally got her own place, but some people in town have been less than welcoming. That’s until one dark and stormy night a man that might as well have come straight out of the pages of her dirty books comes to her rescue.

  Shaw has relocated from his business in the city to Magnolia Springs to help his mom. He runs her errands and helps her with anything else she needs, but he’s less than thrilled about picking up her list of romance books. When he walks into the store, he’s blindsided by a damsel in distress and is ready to take charge.

  Warning: This has all the accessories a girl can dream of! Dirty books, thrilling suspense, a sassy bestie, and a whole lot of steam! Come play with us… We won’t let you down!

  Chapter 1

  Barbie

  I run my finger across the spines of the books as I walk down the aisles of my little bookstore, Twice Read Tales. I love this place. It’s the first thing I’ve ever been able to call my own, thanks to a grandmother I never knew. She helped me break from the bnds of my old life and now I’m able to start over. I have a
chance to make my own story and for the past two months I’ve been open, the excitement still bubbles in my chest.

  Too bad everyone else around here isn't feeling the same enthusiasm I am. I’m trying not to worry, but I think I might have to shake something up around here if I want to keep this place going.

  When I hear the bell over the front door I rush toward the entrance of my store, but I stop running when I hear Kayla’s voice.

  “I’ve got the perfect plan!” I turn at the end of the aisles to see her carrying a coffee machine. Her blond hair is streaked with pink today, which she must have done last night. I never know what color it will be each time I see her, but I like the constant surprise.

  “Free coffee will most definitely bring some booties up in here.” She shakes the fancy-looking machine in her hands like I’m not seeing it.

  “Where did you get that?” I don’t even know how to use that thing and it looks expensive.

  “Don’t worry about that.” When I raise my eyebrow, she nods toward the front checkout area. “Clear a spot.”

  “Maybe you should take it back.” The longer I stare at the thing, the more expensive it looks. That thing is way out of my budget and if she took it from someone they’re going to notice.

  “My arms are going to give!”

  I shove over the paper on my desk and knock a few of my notepads to the floor. When I bend down to pick them up, my glasses fall off my face. Before I can stop her, Kayla’s black combat boot crunches down on them and I hear something break as she roughly deposits the coffee maker onto the desk.

  I don’t know if my glasses or the coffee maker are going to make it.

  “What did I step on?” She lifts her foot off my glasses and I pick them up, holding the pieces of what’s left in each hand. “I can fix it.” She takes them from me and I shake my head.

  “I have another pair upstairs.”

  “It’s fine. I’ve totally got it.” She moves behind my desk, where she starts opening all the drawers.

  I’d run upstairs to my place and grab my backup pair but I’m scared to leave Kayla alone in the store. I’d come back to a pile of rubble with all the bookcases dumped over.

  “So listen, this machine is really easy. You just put these pod things in and bam. Coffee.”

  “I can’t even get people in here to tell them about the coffee,” I point out.

  “I’ve got a plan for that too.” She drops her backpack on the floor as she pulls tape out from my desk.

  “You’re not taping those.” I try and grab them from her but she’s faster than me. “I already look like a dork. I do not need tape on my glasses to add to the effect.”

  “You’re not a dork. You’re wholesome.”

  “Is that a step up from homely?”

  “No, you’re adorable.” She starts wrapping my glasses in tape and piecing them back together.

  I don’t want to have the same argument with her about how adorable isn't going to get me a man. Even covered in paint she always looks good without trying.

  “Good as new.” She turns my glasses over to look at them. “I think it gives them style.” She smiles brightly as she passes them over to me.

  “Thanks.” I put them back on, knowing I’ll get my others later and these can hold me over for now.

  Romeo jumps up on the counter to inspect what’s going on. I don’t know who the cat belonged to before, but apparently he came with the building.

  “I’m going to repaint the front window. The grand opening is over, so it needs something new.” She opens her backpack to show me she’s brought her supplies.

  “Did you steal this from your dad’s house?” I go back to the coffee machine, thinking it may not be the worst idea.

  “He won’t notice.” She shrugs. Kayla might be a walking catastrophe, but she’s beautiful in a hipster-artsy way.

  “What if free coffee isn’t enough?” My shoulders drop. If only it was that easy.

  “People love free shit.”

  “I’m not sure Missy will love that I’m giving away free coffee.” I point to the coffee shop next door. I’m not one for coffee, but they do have killer brownies over there—not that I get to eat them anymore.

  “She’s a bitch.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to agree because she is a mega bitch. “I think she’s just pissed you called her out.”

  “I wasn't trying to say she didn’t make the brownies!” All I said was that I was impressed with how fast she cooked them. She rolled in next door at the coffee shop a few minutes before opening and always had her food ready to go. I’d get there seconds after her to grab something to eat and it was all there. I was impressed because I’m a snail in the mornings. I thought I was complimenting her, but she didn’t take it that way.

  Now I’ve been banned from next door. Banned. I’ve never been banned from anything in my whole life. I’m pretty sure she’s telling people to not come to my store either. I’m starting to learn she’s the queen bee of gossip here in Magnolia Springs.

  I didn't know about all these politics and small-town antics until after I opened my bookstore. I didn't think being so close to a big city there would be this kind of behavior, but I was wrong. So far, Kayla is the only friend I’ve made here.

  Everyone else is nice enough but never overly friendly. I’ve ruffled some feathers with my bookstore because I only sell romance books. There’s a small children's section in the back but those books aren’t for sale. Those I have marked as a lending library for children to check out and return on good faith.

  “I’ve been thinking about Little-Miss-Stick-Up-Her-Ass. I think we should do a stakeout and let everyone in town know she doesn't bake shit.” Again she glares at the wall that connects our two buildings. She's more worked up than normal about Missy.

  “Is there something you want to tell me?” I drop the notepads on my desk as I try to move the coffee machine over. I’m still going to have to think of a way to get Kayla to take it back because I don’t want to cause more problems.

  “She’s telling people you’ve got books in here that should be burned.” Kayla rolls her eyes. “I think she needs a good dicking.”

  I let out a bark of laughter and my hand flies over my mouth to try and muffle it.

  This isn't the first time I’ve heard people talk crap on romance. I have no shame in the books I love and people can think whatever they want. I know what a good love story can do for your soul and one day I hope to find my own. Until then I’ll live through the pages of my books.

  “I think she needs a good book,” I counter.

  Missy gets a lot of dicking from what I can tell. What I don’t think she gets is a lot of love. It makes it hard for me to stay mad at her when I feel sorry for her, not that I’m one to talk. It’s not like my love life is blowing up outside the pages.

  “So are we setting this up?” Kayla taps the coffee machine. “It can make hot chocolate too.” She wiggles her eyebrows because she knows she’s going straight for my weakness. It’s not like things can get worse with Missy if she is already saying my books should be burned.

  “Fine. I’ll set up the coffee machine, and you paint the window.”

  “Deal.” She grabs her backpack and pets Romeo on the head before going to the front of the store. I watch as she pops in her headphones and gets to work. I can’t wait to see what new exciting art she’s going to craft.

  I grab an empty table from the back of the store and bring it up front. It doesn’t take long to set up the machine, but I’ll need to buy some supplies for it. Just as I’m making a mental list, I hear the bell over the door sound.

  In my heart I hope it’s the first of many new customers to come.

  * * *

  Get Bookstore Barbie now at AlexaRiley.com

  Cozy

  by Alexa Riley

  Timber Grayson likes living alone in his castle far from people and crowds. So when a company wants to use his place for some corporate party, it’s a flat-out no. That’s
until she comes knocking...and suddenly he’s changing his "no people" rule.

  Pippa Michaels has been recruited by her sister Myra to get a castle secured for an event space. Pippa would do anything for her, but after meeting the hulking lumberjack, she’s having second thoughts. When Timber tells her she can have it if she stays for the duration of the planning, she’s making promises she’s not sure she can keep.

  Warning: Cuddle your cute butt up with this billionaire recluse who chops wood with his bare hands. Once he meets Pippa there’s no going back...but you wouldn’t want him to anyway! Get ready because things are getting cozy. See what we did there?

  Chapter 1

  Pippa

  “Sooo.” Myra drags out the word to get my full attention.

  I gaze up at my sister who’s still dressed to kill. I don’t know how she does it. Every morning she gets up, does her hair and makeup and puts on a kickass suit or dress and rolls around in heels like they’re slippers. I look at her now with her blond waves up and not a hair out of place. Her makeup from this morning is still flawless and you’d have no idea the woman ran her butt off at work all day. Myra is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever met in my life, but too bad she has a jerk of a boss that has no clue how much she does. He works her too hard.

  I heard her come in a few minutes ago, but when she first gets home I always give her a moment to unwind. But this time she comes straight to the living room to find me and her “sooo” puts me a little on edge. Something is up.

  “So?” I prompt her to continue because I know she wants something from me.